Posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms after bone marrow transplantation for breast cancer.

OBJECTIVE: On the basis of revisions of DSM criteria, questions have been raised concerning the occurrence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms among adults who have been diagnosed and treated for life-threatening illnesses. The present study examined the prevalence and correlates of PTSD symptoms among women who had undergone autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT) for breast cancer.

METHODS: Participants were 43 women who had undergone ABMT for breast cancer an average of 19 months previously (range = 2 to 62 months) and had no clinical evidence of disease at their most recent follow-up visit. PTSD symptoms and quality of life were assessed using standardized self-report instruments.

RESULTS: Between 12% and 19% of participants were likely to meet DSM-IV criteria for the current diagnosis of PTSD. Women who were less well educated, had more advanced disease at the time of the transplantation and had longer hospital stays for the transplantation reported more symptoms of PTSD. Greater PTSD symptomatology was associated with reports of poorer physical health, mental health, and sleep quality.

CONCLUSION: Comparisons with previous research suggest that rates of PTSD are higher among women who undergo ABMT as opposed to less intensive forms of breast cancer treatment. These findings are consistent with the view that development of PTSD symptoms is associated with the degree of life threat. The clinical significance of PTSD in this patient population is underscored by findings indicating that greater PTSD symptoms are associated with poorer health-related quality of life.